10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,781 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Kia Sephia electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Kia Sephia Owner Comments

problem #7

Feb 242003

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,469 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The spark plugs and wires had to be replaced for the second time in two years. I feel this shouldnot happen so close together and there may be a problem that is causing it in the manufacturing.

- Shadyside, OH, USA

problem #6

Jul 152002

Sephia

  • miles
While driving 10mph a fire started under the hood.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #5

Sep 151998

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
A fire started from main wiring harness under dash which led to fuse recpticle under hood. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. When the wiring harness burned, the air bag, the radio, dashboard lights, the cooling fan and the A/C failed. This problem reoccurred several times. Tail light, turn signal, head lights, starter and the alternator also failed as the result of the wiring harness.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #4

Feb 162002

Sephia

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving vehicle, went to stop & had no brakes. Pulled up on the emergency brake, looked in rearview mirror and noticed smoke all over. Pulled over & got out quickly. Opened paseinger door to get belongings & noticed flames coming from underneath. Called 911. Car was burning tremendously. A total loss. My daughter was driving, and got out safely. This happened for no apparent reason. What a traumatic experience, especially for a 17 yr. Old.

- Walnutport, PA, USA

problem #3

Apr 132001

Sephia 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on highway could see smoke coming from engine. Stopped vehicle and found out that vehicle caught underhood fire, and was totalled.

- Pinebluff, AR, USA

problem #2

Mar 132000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
While driving wires underhood caught on fire. Dealer has been notified.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #1

Feb 042000

Sephia

  • miles
Brakes failed causing accident, they have been replaced 4 times also rotors fuel pump, transmission, glovebox, wiring harness, many other things too... could have lost my 2 of my grandsons in the accident... are we going to put up with this"?" I can be reached at vitello@pgh.net

- Sharon, PA, USA

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